Q3 of 9 Page 193

What are the provisions for the reservations for the socially disadvantaged groups as per the 73rd amendment? Explain how these provisions have changed the profile of the leadership at the village level.

In 1993 parliament passed two constitutional amendments 73rd and 74th. These amendments brought the rural and urban institutions of local self government into constitutional recognition and importance like the other institutions. The provisions of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act makes provisions for the reservations of seats in local government for the disadvantaged groups like the women, the scheduled castes, the scheduled tribes and the other backward classes in the rural India. One third of all positions in panchayat are reserved for them. The Panchayats have been given the authority and responsibility of local planning and mobilisation of their own resources.


This definitely has changed the village leadership profile by transferring the leadership from the dominant social groups to the underprivileged social groups in the decision making progression. This promotes representation of all social groups in the panchayati institution. Now the people from the lower caste and backward category have now the benefit to play important roles in the government process to bring benefit to their community.


More from this chapter

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1

Constitution of India visualised village panchayats as units of self-government. Think over the situation described in the following statements and explain how do these situations strengthen or weaken the panchayats in becoming units of self-government.

A. Government of a State has allowed a big company to establish a huge steel plant. Many villages would be adversely affected by the steel plant. Gram Sabha of one of the affected villages passed a resolution that before establishing any big industries in the region, village people must be consulted and their grievances should be redressed.


B. The government has decided that 20 % of all its expenditure would be done through the panchayats.


C. A village panchayat kept on demanding funds for a building for village school, the government officials turned down their proposal saying that funds are allocated for certain other schemes and cannot be spent otherwise.


D. The government divided a village Dungarpur into two and made a part of village Jamuna and Sohana. Now village Dungarpur has ceased to exist in government’s books.


E. A village panchayat observed that water sources of their region are depleting fast. They decided to mobilise village youth to do some voluntary work and revive the old village ponds and wells.

 2

Suppose you are entrusted to evolve a local government plan of a State, what powers would you endow to the village panchayats to function as units of self-government? Mention any five powers and the justification in two lines for each of them for giving those powers.

 4

What were the main differences between the local governments before 73rd amendment and after that amendment?

 5

Read the following conversation. Write in two hundred words your opinion about the issues raised in this conversation.

Alok: Our Constitution guarantees equality between men and women. Reservations in local bodies for women ensure their equal share in power.


Neha: But it is not enough that women should be in positions of power. It is necessary that the budget of local bodies should have separate provision for women.


Jayesh: I don’t like this reservations business. A local body must take care of all people in the village and that would automatically take care of women and their interests.